A little down in the dunks

Credit: Stuart Cahill

HATE TO SEE ’EM GO: While shopping at TD Garden’s Pro Shop yesterday, Miles Bruce of California told the Herald he has ‘mixed feelings’ about the Celtics’ loss of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.

Credit: Matt Stone

HATE TO SEE ’EM GO: While shopping at TD Garden’s Pro Shop yesterday, Miles Bruce of California told the Herald he has ‘mixed feelings’ about the Celtics’ loss of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, above.

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Few Celtics fans were happy yesterday that Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett are heading to Brooklyn, but most recognized that Danny Ainge’s blockbuster draft night deal was designed with the team’s future in mind.

At TD Garden’s Pro Shop, a sampling of visitors understood the business side of the trade and the strategy behind it, although they wished Pierce and Garnett could have retired in Boston. Those feelings were especially true of Pierce, whose entire 15-year career — before Thursday’s trade agreement — has been played as a Celtic.

“Obviously we have to rebuild, but it’s kind of sad that Garnett and Pierce didn’t get to finish out their careers in Boston,” Mark Rubbins of Melrose said. “This was our last year in contention, and we’ve got to move on to the future.”

Devin Magennis of Canada was all for the deal that gives the Celtics three first-round draft picks.

“It shows that they’re committed to the idea of rebuilding the team, and will go after young guys rather than guys at the middle or the end of their career.” Magennis said.

He also hoped that “the fan base will have patience and allow them to have some bad years.”

Miles Bruce, visiting from California, had “mixed feelings” on the stunning multi-player deal.

“I hate to see Paul and Garnett go, two tried-and-true Celtics, but given what they got in return I think the future looks brighter,” he said. “They got a lot of draft picks, and some good trade pieces to move.”

Bruce, however, did not seem convinced that No. 34 had played his last game in a Boston uniform.

“Pierce should retire as a Celtic. Hopefully they can find a way to bring him back and he still will,” he said.

Over on the basketball courts at Ramsey Park on Washington Street in the South End, Boston native Christian Arthur was less enthusiastic about the move.

“I’m worried that the Celtics won’t have much of a team now,” he said “The only guy they have left is (Rajon) Rondo.”

Manny Melo of Boston disagreed.

“I think it was a good trade,” Melo said. “We gained a lot of first-round picks, so I think for the future it will be better for the Celtics.”

But Melo said it will be an adjustment for both the players and the fans when it comes time for tip-off next season.

“I think it’s going to be difficult for both the fans and for Paul Pierce to see him in a Nets uniform,” Melo said.